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How Should I Prepare My Car for Winter?

How Should I Prepare My Car for Winter?

Believe it or not, winter is just a month away—the winter solstice (i.e., the first day of winter) is December 22nd this year. Although we know that you’ll be busy enough with holiday festivities and shopping, take a little time in these next few weeks to prepare your car for the bitter cold, heaping snow, and perilous ice of wintertime. “How should I prepare my car for winter?” you ask? Scroll down to find out.

How Should I Prepare My Car for Winter?

How Should I Prepare My Car for Winter?

Check your antifreeze. Your engine’s coolant must be kept at the proper level to prevent freezing and corrosion. Flush and change your coolant if necessary, following the manufacturer’s guidelines provided in your owner’s manual.

Test your battery. Although it’s never fun to be stuck somewhere with a dead battery, it is especially inconvenient (and potentially unsafe) in the winter. Plus, cold weather is hard on batteries. Be sure that your battery is in good working condition before winter weather begins.

Stock the car with emergency supplies. Just in case the worst should happen, keep some emergency supplies in your car. At the very least, you should include a flashlight, blanket, sand or salt, and an ice scraper. If you live in a remote area, also include tire chains, warm boots, a jacket, gloves, a shovel, flares, a fire starter, water, and a ration of food.

Check your brakes. When you’re driving in bad weather, your brakes are your lifelines. Have your mechanic check your brakes before winter begins and ask them to make any needed repairs. If you’ve been planning to replace your brakes or pads, now is the time to do so.

Be sure your exhaust system is leak free. A carbon monoxide leak is especially dangerous during the winter, when windows are always closed while driving. Have your exhaust system inspected to be sure it is leak free.

Inspect your heater and defroster. Be sure that your heaters and defrosters are working properly. Without them, your ride will be uncomfortable or downright impossible.

Check (and perhaps change) your tires. Check the air pressure in your tires from time to time and add more when necessary. If your tires have lost their grip, replace them to ensure that they can grasp the road. If you live in an area that sees a lot of winter weather, consider purchasing snow tires.

Give your windshield wipers a once-over. When it rains or snows, your windshield wipers must thoroughly clean off your windows to provide visibility. If your wipers have become worn, replace them right away. In addition, replace your washer fluid with cold weather washer fluid.

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Winter weather can magnify existing problems in your vehicle, which is why it’s so important that you give your car a check-up before the season begins. Would you like some help preparing your car for winter? If you’re located in Springfield (MO) or northwest Arkansas, give ASE-certified Seeburg Service Center a call. Although we specialize in mufflers and exhaust system repairs, we also perform a variety of auto repairs and maintenance, including oil changes, alignments, and brake repairs. To get started, please contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!

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